The kayak belonging to a man who went missing in Lake Ronkonkoma Thursday afternoon has been recovered, police said, but the search for the kayaker will have to continue Saturday after authorities suspended the operation for the day.
A Suffolk County police spokeswoman didn’t know when or where the kayak was recovered. She said the search will resume again Saturday, but it was unclear what time police would head back into the water.
Police have been searching Lake Ronkonkoma since a 911 caller reported a distressed kayaker in the lake around 3:30 p.m. Thursday, police said. The man was calling for help, witnesses told police. Good Samaritans attempted to help but eventually lost sight of him, police said.
The search was suspended Thursday due to darkness. It resumed again Friday morning.
The police spokeswoman added Friday that authorities “believe” they have the identity of the person they’re looking for. Police have yet to publicly identify the kayaker.
Officers from the Suffolk County Marine Bureau, Emergency Service Section, Aviation Section and Parks police have been involved in the search. Several fire departments have also assisted.
